Traffic signal



Aug. 17; 1943.

A. M'CK. MILES TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Oct. 22, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Miles IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Aug. 17, 1943. A. MOK. MILES 2,326,875

TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Oct. 22; 1940 2 Sheet s-Sheet 2 i .11. Miles IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

I] Q Patented Augz 1 ,943 1 2,326,875 i V TRAFFIC SIGNAL H Alfred McKinley- Miles, Spartansburg, 8:0; Application October 22, 194c,- seriaiNo. 36z,2c4 rea m. (01. 177-327),

invention relates to traflic signal light construction, the primary object of, the invention being to provide'a traflic light embodying the required number. of lampsmounted in a single lamp housing, eliminating the necessity of providingseparate lamp housings or compartments for-the various colored lights constituting the signal, thereby reducing the cost of traflic signals .to the minimum. V

, An important object of the invention is to pm- I vide a traffic light embodying 'a plurality of fluorescent tubes installed in a single lamp housing and constructed in such a manner thatthe ultra-violet light furnished by the arc streams within the individual tubes, will project various colored light'rays for signalling purposes.

, Another object. of the invention is'toprovide of the line of vision of the motorist, in follow the signal changes. 7 r v With the foregoing and other objects in view,

which will appear as the description proceeds,

the invention resides in the combination and arbemade within the scope of what is claimed,

without departing from the spirit'of the inven tion.

' Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a traflic signalling light, constructed in accordance with r v the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough. I

Figure 3 is a'sectional viewtaken on line -3.3

of Figure 2.

i a signal housing wherein theyellow warning sig- I V I nal may overlap the green signal, without. the use I r of multiple lenses and reflectors.

; Still another object of the invention is to provide a signal which does not require the shifting 'order'to 1 rangement of parts and inthe details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it

being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may

q of, said flange extending outw'ardly land for-; i 3

Figure iris a view illustrating the red signal, as

being displayed. I V Figure 5 is a view illustrating the green signal.

Figure 6 isa view-illustrating the area of the Q lens illuminated, when the tube in the annular light compartment, is illuminated. p

Referringto the drawingsin detail, the lamp a housingisindicated generally by the, reference.

character 5 andis provided with the usual hood 1 v6, to obscure the signals, from one direction.

' The lamp housing isv provided with an open end/normallyclosed by means of the lens I,

which is: held in position between-the annularflanges 8, which grip the edgeof the lens. tending from the outer surfaceof the lamp houslens positioned overthe outer 'end of the main lamp housing and contacting the outer edge thereof, and said lens being of a diameter to ex-v tend overthe outer'end of the annular lamp ing 5,'and spaced therefrom, is a flange 9,which is constructed of reflecting material, the flange 9 being arrangedto provide an annular lampcompartment' I0 surroundingthe' open end oi the housing .5.-

Mounted'within theannulartlamp compart- 7 ment, l0, isa spirally arranged fluorescent tube constructed in such a waythat electric current supplied to the tube, willcause a light of yellow character, to be pr'ojectedtherefrom. Arranged. fwithin'the lamp honsing, and disposed adjacent to the open end thereof; is a spirally, formed neon tube l Land adjacent to the neon tube II,

is a'fiuorescent tube l2 which isofracharacter to project green :light rays'through, the open end of the housingi. Transformers'indic'ated at' [3 rare -positioned in th bas |4 of the m housing; the base 14 being secured togas'upporting post which is indicated at 15, by means of the I straps I 6 a It will of course be understood" that suitable time-controlled switches notshown, are used in :conjunction with the signal light, in the usual and well known manner, so that the various lights will be turned on consecutively.

From the foregoing it'will be seen that due to T r the construction shown and described, a single;

lamp housing is provided for containing the three; distinct signals for signalling traffic, thereby eliminatingythe necessity of providing} three separate compartments or lamp housings to accomplish the signallingresult, and consequently reducing the cost of traific signals toa minimum.;

It'will also be seenthat becauseen annular light'chamber is provided-adjacent to the open Y end *of the mainlamp housing, the' yellow iwarning signal may oper;atej. to' o'verlapthegreen signal, without the use of multiple lenses and reflectors. I w

What is claimed is:

In a "traffic light, ajmaill 'llan'ip musin having an open end, a flange constructedfof.reflecting material secured to the housing exteriorly therewardly towards the open end of the housing, said flange being spaced from the housing providing an annular lamp compartment adjacent to the open end of; the lamp housing, the outer endot the lamp housing extending beyond-"the outer end of the-annular lamp oQI partmenti-indepen- 4 dent fluorescent lighttubes' or; distinctive colors, v mounted within the annularflamp'compartment; andthe main lamp housinggwhereby'each light tube will illuminate the lamp housing inQWhich it is positioned, with'its distinctive'colohlwhenfthe tubes are energized, creating a, signal,- acurved compartment, :Closing the annular lampjcoma e t V Y I a ALFRED McmN EY i 

